The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-07-02
AlSACE-lORRAiNE.
The Difnculties In the Way Of Gcrmann-
ing the Two Provinces.


ing the Two Provinces.
The Germanizing of Alsace has not
gone on as rapidly as the German Gov
eminent could wish, if one can judge
by the large majonties of which the
solid delegation of French-sympa-
timing members were sent to the
Reichstag in the election just past, 1t
was something for the Paris newspapers
to gloat over Even the women who
sell newspapers in the kiosss on the
boulevards chuckled over the discom-
future of Bismarck in beloved Alsace.
What minority who voted for the im-
perial candidate think, or what their
motives were, can only be known in
general way. Like many other Ger
mans, they probably supposed that the
election of delegates to the Reiehstag
who favored the Septennate was a
gauge Of the peace of Europe. What
another war would mean TO Alsace,
with the hatred that the last generated,
they can well imagine, having still
vivid in their memories the lives lost,
fields laid waste. 1t was not to he ex-
pectcd that at such a time citizens OF
Strasburg would lay bare their hearts
| to the fullest extent to stranger. Yet
| in various conversations that l have
| had have been able 10 detect but one
| strong undercurrent Of sentiment. and
that was sympathy with and affection
for France. My most implicit conf
| dences were received on the roof of the
cathedral. Here is little world by
itself. made up of watchmen whose
business it was to signal the fires that
may break out in any part of the city,
and care-takers, who also serve rs
guides and attendants to strangers
They show the historical institutions,
point out the places Of interest visibls
from the roof, and mount the spirt
with every one that comes. no one be
ing permitted to ascend alone. Yet nc
one ventured to say in so many words
that he wished to see Alsace made agar
part Of the French domain. Thu
information was conveyed in hint
and inuendoes, and tones that mean
volumes. One said that he had per
formed his military service in France
he had taken the oath Of allegiance t.
the German Government, and now h
did not really know what he was On
expressed himself in one way and an
other in another The elevation we
great, and yet there seemed sort
idea that the echoes might repeat tn
condolences to the authorities on tn
leve, of the earth far below. So after
ward in the cafes and in the innhouse
that visited. There were smothcre
/ words of sympathy and hope 70
France. and though nothing abusiv
. was said OF Germany, not phras
5 of commentator could be hear
l any where. II there was censure
! was of the septennate. criticisms
t Bismarck, and only theoretically coul
e it be interpreted as the prefereno
j Of the speaker for the countl
: which was the land of his nativit
+ and all his early associations.
g had had confidential admission
i some socialistic circles / should pro'
!. ably have heard good deal said MOI
/, openly. As it was, was convince
l. that if it were possible for the questic
Il to be decided by vote of the peopl
e that it would be almost unanimous
Il favor of the old order of things und'
l. the old rule; but this can not be.
A looks as if it could never be. The su
le gestion to make Alsace-Lorraine an !
II dependent province like Switzerlan
If with its neutrality guaranteed by t
re powers, that should act as sufl
m between France and Germany isa go
Is one if it was feasible. The two cou
IS tries have no other cause for quarr'
D. There could then be only commerc
N rivalry, in which France would be 81
Of to have the best chance, her goo
ic being so superior to those of German
is II something like this is not done the
1t must be war, or these great and CO
ID tinuslly increasing ornaments will e
IN in the financial ruin of both countri
i -Strasburg Cor. San francisco Chr
a icle.